1. |
- Antonopoulou, Io, 1989-, et al.
(author)
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Single cell oil and ethanol production by the oleaginous yeast Trichosporon fermentans utilizing dried sweet sorghum stalks
- 2020
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In: Renewable energy. - : Elsevier. - 0960-1481 .- 1879-0682. ; 146, s. 1609-1617
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The ability of the oleaginous yeast Trichosporon fermentans to efficiently produce lipids when cultivated in dried sweet sorghum was evaluated. First, lipid production was evaluated in synthetic media mimicking the composition of sweet sorghum stalks and optimized based on the nitrogen source and C: N ratio. Under optimum conditions, the lipid production reached 3.66 g/L with 21.91% w/w lipid content by using a mixture of sucrose, glucose and fructose and peptone at C: N ratio 160. Cultivation on pre-saccharified sweet sorghum stalks offered 1.97 g/L, while it was found that sweet sorghum stalks can support yeast growth and lipid production without the need for external nitrogen source addition. At an attempt to increase the carbon source concentration for optimizing lipid production, the Crabtree effect was observed in T. fermentans. To this end, the yeast was evaluated for its potential to produce ethanol under anaerobic conditions in synthetic media and sweet sorghum. The ethanol concentration at 100 g/L glucose was 40.31 g/L, while utilizing sweet sorghum by adding a distinct saccharification step and external nitrogen source offered ethanol concentration equal to 23.5 g/L. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that the Crabtree effect is observed in T. fermentans.
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2. |
- Bajracharya, Suman, et al.
(author)
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Advances in cathode designs and reactor configurations of microbial electrosynthesis systems to facilitate gas electro-fermentation
- 2022
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In: Bioresource Technology. - : Elsevier. - 0960-8524 .- 1873-2976. ; 354
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In gas fermentation, a range of chemolithoautotrophs fix single-carbon (C1) gases (CO2 and CO) when H2 or other reductants are available. Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) enables CO2 reduction by generating H2 or reducing equivalents with the sole input of renewable electricity. A combined approach as gas electro-fermentation is attractive for the sustainable production of biofuels and biochemicals utilizing C1 gases. Various platform compounds such as acetate, butyrate, caproate, ethanol, butanol and bioplastics can be produced. However, technological challenges pertaining to the microbe-material interactions such as poor gas-liquid mass transfer, low biomass and biofilm coverage on cathode, low productivities still exist. We are presenting a review on latest developments in MES focusing on the configuration and design of cathodes that can address the challenges and support the gas electro-fermentation. Overall, the opportunities for advancing CO and CO2-based biochemicals and biofuels production in MES with suitable cathode/reactor design are prospected.
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3. |
- Bajracharya, Suman, et al.
(author)
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Chapter 12 - Advances in gas fermentation processes
- 2022
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In: Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering. - : Elsevier. - 9780323911672 ; , s. 321-351
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Microbial metabolism enables the sustainable synthesis of fuels and chemicals from gaseous substrates (H2, CO, and CO2), thus drastically diminishing the carbon load in the atmosphere. Various value-added biochemicals and biofuels, such as acetate, methane, ethanol, butanol, butyrate, caproate, and bioplastics, have been produced during the conversion of syngas or H2/CO2, using a variety of microorganisms as biocatalysts. Gas fermentation processes using acetogenic and methanogenic organisms are being extensively investigated. This chapter provides an overview of microbial CO and CO2 conversion technology, with an emphasis on recent developments and integration with renewable electricity for the generation of H2 or other forms of electron donors. A discussion on technological challenges in gas fermentation addresses issues, such as poor mass transfer, low microbial biomass, and low productivity. It also presents possible solutions based on the latest advances in bioelectrochemical processes including microbial gas electrofermentation. Finally, the chapter includes a sustainability analysis of the process and includes a brief update on commercially established companies operating gas fermentation systems. Overall, an integrated approach combining gas fermentation and renewable electricity offers an opportunity for the development of CO and CO2- based biochemical and biofuel production at commercial scale.
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4. |
- Bajracharya, Suman, et al.
(author)
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Dual cathode configuration and headspace gas recirculation for enhancing microbial electrosynthesis using Sporomusa ovata
- 2022
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In: Chemosphere. - : Elsevier. - 0045-6535 .- 1879-1298. ; 287, Part 3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- High-rate production of acetate and other value-added products from the reduction of CO2 in microbial electrosynthesis (MES) using acetogens can be achieved with high reducing power where H2 appears as a key electron mediator. H2 evolution using metal cathodes can enhance the availability of H2 to support high-rate microbial reduction of CO2. Due to the low solubility of H2, the availability of H2 remains limited to the bacteria. In this study, we investigated the performances of Sporomusa ovata for CO2 reduction when dual cathodes were used together in an MES, one was regular carbon cathode, and the other was a titanium mesh that allows higher hydrogen evolution. The dual cathode configuration was investigated in two sets of MES, one set had the usual S. ovata inoculated graphite rod, and another set had a synthetic biofilm-imprinted carbon cloth. Additionally, the headspace gas in MES was recirculated to increase the H2 availability to the bacteria in suspension. High-rate CO2 reduction was observed at −0.9 V vs Ag/AgCl with dual cathode configuration as compared to single cathodes. High titers of acetate (up to ∼11 g/L) with maximum instantaneous rates of 0.68–0.7 g/L/d at −0.9 V vs Ag/AgCl were observed, which are higher than the production rates reported in literatures for S. ovata using MES with surface modified cathodes. A high H2 availability supported the high-rate acetate production from CO2 with diminished electricity input.
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5. |
- Bajracharya, Suman, et al.
(author)
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Microbial Electrosynthesis Using 3D Bioprinting of Sporomusa ovata on Copper, Stainless-Steel, and Titanium Cathodes for CO2 Reduction
- 2023
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In: Fermentation. - : MDPI. - 2311-5637. ; 10:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Acetate can be produced from carbon dioxide (CO2) and electricity using bacteria at the cathode of microbial electrosynthesis (MES). This process relies on electrolytically-produced hydrogen (H2). However, the low solubility of H2 can limit the process. Using metal cathodes to generate H2 at a high rate can improve MES. Immobilizing bacteria on the metal cathode can further proliferate the H2 availability to the bacteria. In this study, we investigated the performances of 3D bioprinting of Sporomusa ovata on three metal meshes—copper (Cu), stainless steel (SS), and titanium (Ti), when used individually as a cathode in MES. Bacterial cells were immobilized on the metal using a 3D bioprinter with alginate hydrogel ink. The bioprinted Ti mesh exhibited higher acetate production (53 ± 19 g/m2/d) at −0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl as compared to other metal cathodes. More than 9 g/L of acetate was achieved with bioprinted Ti, and the least amount was obtained with bioprinted Cu. Although all three metals are known for catalyzing H2 evolution, the lower biocompatibility and chemical stability of Cu hampered its performance. Stable and biocompatible Ti supported the bioprinted S. ovata effectively. Bioprinting of synthetic biofilm on H2-evolving metal cathodes can provide high-performing and robust biocathodes for further application of MES.
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7. |
- Bazar, July Ann, et al.
(author)
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Enhancing froth flotation performance of iron oxide apatite ore tailings through synergistic utilization of organosolv lignin particles and tall oil fatty acid-based collector
- 2024
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In: Minerals Engineering. - : Elsevier. - 0892-6875 .- 1872-9444. ; 216
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Beneficiation of the tailings from Iron Oxide Apatite (IOA) ore has become an important topic in the field of mineral processing as phosphate rock is considered as critical raw material by the European Union. Driven by the strong call for sustainability and green technology, this paper introduces the application of novel and bio-based organosolv lignin particles (OLP) as a reagent for apatite flotation. In the artificial mineral mixture flotation tests, OLP addition or replacement to tall oil fatty acid-based collector (TOFA) was shown to improve flotation kinetics and recovery. In this study, it was demonstrated that one of the widely used commercial TOFA collectors could be replaced with OLP by 70 %. The replacement led to an increase in recovery (+2%) and only a minimal decrease in P grade (−0.3 %) for the rougher-cleaner flotation tests in one of the two feed types tested. The influence of OLP and other reagents on apatite floatability has been investigated through Hallimond tube tests and laboratory scale batch flotation tests as well as zeta potential measurements and spectroscopy tests to further understand the possible mechanism and synergism of reagents in the apatite flotation system.
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8. |
- Bazar, July Ann, et al.
(author)
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Organosolv Lignin Particles as a Partial Replacement of Xanthate Collector in a Copper Sulfide Ore Flotation: Scale-up Study
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The transition to a sustainable, green economy indeed requires more access to strategic/critical metals for renewable energy technologies while simultaneously reducing reliance on fossil fuels and their byproducts. In mineral processing, various research for an environment-friendly flotation reagents have been ongoing for many years. In this paper, the potential of organosolv lignin particles (OLP) as a biobased reagent that can improve the grade and recovery of Cu was demonstrated using real sulfide ore. The main advantage of this process is that it requires low dosage of OLP in the tested condition and set-up. The initial laboratory batch flotation tests showed that potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) can be partially replaced with OLP by 50% and in the absence of depressant, lime. These results were further verified in semi-pilot flotation tests that showed an increase in recovery by 8% in the rougher stage and comparable grade in the final cleaner stage when using the OLP-PAX mixture with respect to PAX at full dosage. In general, this paper presents the progress towards validating the viability of OLP as a biobased flotation reagent suitable for industrial-scale applications.
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9. |
- Bazar, July Ann, et al.
(author)
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Organosolv Lignin Particles as a Partial Replacement of Xanthate Collector in a Copper Sulfide Ore Flotation: Scale-up Study
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The transition to a sustainable, green economy indeed requires more access to strategic/critical metals for renewable energy technologies while simultaneously reducing reliance on fossil fuels and their byproducts. In mineral processing, various research for an environment-friendly flotation reagents have been ongoing for many years. In this paper, the potential of organosolv lignin particles (OLP) as a biobased reagent that can improve the grade and recovery of Cu was demonstrated using real sulfide ore. The main advantage of this process is that it requires low dosage of OLP in the tested condition and set-up. The initial laboratory batch flotation tests showed that potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) can be partially replaced with OLP by 50% and in the absence of depressant, lime. These results were further verified in semi-pilot flotation tests that showed an increase in recovery by 8% in the rougher stage and comparable grade in the final cleaner stage when using the OLP-PAX mixture with respect to PAX at full dosage. In general, this paper presents the progress towards validating the viability of OLP as a biobased flotation reagent suitable for industrial-scale applications.
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10. |
- Bhattacharyya, Shubhankar, et al.
(author)
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Melt Stable Functionalized Organosolv and Kraft Lignin Thermoplastic
- 2020
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In: Processes. - : MDPI. - 2227-9717. ; 8:9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A shift towards an economically viable biomass biorefinery concept requires the use of all biomass fractions (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) for the production of high added-value products. As lignin is often underutilized, the establishment of lignin valorization routes is highly important. In-house produced organosolv as well as commercial Kraft lignin were used in this study. The aim of the current work was to make a comparative study of thermoplastic biomaterials from two different types of lignins. Native lignins were alkylate with two different alkyl iodides to produce ether-functionalized lignins. Successful etherification was verified by FT-IR spectroscopy, changes in the molecular weight of lignin, as well as 13C and 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The thermal stability of etherified lignin samples was considerably improved with the T2% of organosolv to increase from 143 °C to up to 213 °C and of Kraft lignin from 133 °C to up to 168 °C, and glass transition temperature was observed. The present study shows that etherification of both organosolv and Kraft lignin with alkyl halides can produce lignin thermoplastic biomaterials with low glass transition temperature. The length of the alkyl chain affects thermal stability as well as other thermal properties.
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